On the Town: Inaugural gala raises $20K for seniors, veterans

Close to $20,000 was raised for local needy seniors, veterans and disabled individuals at the inaugural formal “Black and White” fundraising gala presented by the new nonprofit Nick of Time Project at the Royal Palace Banquet Hall in Glendale on March 6.

The 212 guests, adorned in evening gowns and tuxedos, strolled the red carpet and then sat down to a Mediterranean feast.

Entertainment included vocalist Molly Roth, veteran Broadway actor Doug Carfrae, who also served as the master of ceremonies, and special guest Larry Covin, as well as a performance by a youth troupe from the Pacific Studio for Dance.

Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian presented the organization with a commendation from Mayor Ara Najarian. Also sending congratulatory messages were Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who also contributed as a sponsor of the event; and Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar.

Other dignitaries attending were Moises Carrillo, senior community development supervisor with the Glendale Community Services & Parks Department, and Maggie Kavarian, community services supervisor.

The Regal Medical Group Social Worker Team, headed by supervisor Beth Fleming, was presented with Nick of Time Project’s Award of Excellence for its service to the elderly community, which makes up a large segment of the group’s patient base, said Tina Voskanian, board vice president and co-executive director.

Other honorees attending were coordinator Regina Balades, and social workers Tony Hein, Francisca Morales, Ashley Shaginian, Svetlana Krasilshchik and Valerie Fannin. Honoree team members who could not attend were Ben Mavru, Erika Luna, Haneen Alghita, Julia Azizian, Kaynaz Nasseri, Linh Phu, Lisa Greaves, Otilia Lopez and Tammy Chang.

“Our mission is a simple one, and that is to help the needy from falling through the cracks of society,” said Jina Nam, board president. “We are not social scientists or policy makers who struggle with what is the right answer or solution. We are simply individuals like you who simply ask, ‘what can we do to help?’”

Board members Jina Nam, Tina Voskanian, Maria Shelton, Susannah Skinner and John Johnson helped organize the event with the committee members Casey McFall, Valerie Anne Yale, Marjorie Mannos, Myrtha Gonzalez Woolley, Andy Amazaspyan and Gevork Shaginian.

For more information, visit nickoftimeproject.org or call (818) 806-8477.

Women’s club to go Hawaiian

For those who can’t go to Hawaii, La Crescenta Woman’s Club will bring a “Tropical Luau” to you via its annual fundraiser on April 9 at the organization’s clubhouse, 4004 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta.

Social hour and dinner will be followed by live entertainment found only on the islands. The Honolulu Avenue Strummers ukulele troupe will play and then Tahitian dancers, drummer and luminary “fire” show will light up the evening.

Tickets are $50, or $55 after March 31. For reservations, call (818) 219-1702 or email info@lacrescentawomansclub.org. Proceeds go to student scholarships and local philanthropies.

Latino group honors three

During a recent luncheon, the Glendale Latino Assn. presented awards to the Downtown Glendale Assn., Carl Povilaitis, deputy chief of the Glendale Police Department; and Judee B. Kendall, president and chief executive of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, members of the 2016 board of directors were installed. Those on the board are dedicated to promoting awareness of Latino cultures by hosting events and monthly mixers so members can network.

Serving on the board are Miryam Finkelberg, president; Nancy Guillen, vice president of scholarships; Amy Navarrete, vice president of marketing; Darlene M. Sanchez, vice president of membership; Virginia Williams, secretary; Arlene Villarin-Nalbandian, treasurer; and directors Monica Molina, Carlos Carrillo, Marcela Sagot and Nasly Zelaya; and advisory board member Mercy Velazquez.

The group’s mission is to provide scholarships to local students who have demonstrated educational excellence and extraordinary citizenship, to promote activities that improve education, and bring together business people and professionals. For more information, visit glendalelatinoassociation.com.

Bras for a Cause deadline nears

There’s still time to enter your innovative design to the 13th annual Bras for a Cause fundraiser presented by Soroptimist International of Glendale on April 16 at Oakmont Country Club, 3100 Country Club Drive, Glendale

Member Kathy Lefkovits came up with the idea, and now, more than a dozen Soroptimist groups throughout the United States and Canada do it, too.

Bras can be decorated to the theme “Bras for a Cause Celebrates Women Around the World” or create your own theme. The cost to submit a design is $100 and deadline is March 26. Guests will see the designs and also enjoy silent and live auctions and dinner. Tickets are $125.

For bra registration and dinner tickets, contact Lefkovits at (818) 486-3473 or email kathyrealtor@yahoo.com.

Flight pioneer is museum talk topic

The historic aviators who flew out of Grand Central Air Terminal in Glendale will be featured during a talk hosted by the Burbank Historical Society at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Gordon R. Howard Museum.

Aviation historian and author Barbara H. Schultz will speak about Moye W. Stephens, the co-founder of Northrop Corp., a leading U.S. aircraft manufacturer formed in 1939. It merged with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. Schultz’s book, “Flying Carpets, Flying Wings” features interviews with Stephens about his friends and his achievements in aviation.

Stephens flew with Howard Hughes and others during the 1920s. This led to a career as a captain flying Ford Tri-motor aircraft for Maddux Air Lines out of Grand Central Air Terminal.

Admission to her talk is free. The museum is next door to the Creative Arts Center in Izay Park, 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank.

--

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.